In the last five decades a huge body of serious,
informative, and thought-provoking material has been published that
documents the exploitation of farm animals. The following books, listed
in order of publication, are a short selection that demonstrates an unfolding critique of the
industrialization of farming.

This was a ground-breaking study of the growing
mechanization of animal agriculture. It shocked the British public and
resulted in the formation of the Brambell Committee, whose subsequent report
recognized that animals have a right to five basic freedoms. Harrison's
work, and the government recommendations, initiated a reevaluation of
husbandry across Europe. (This book is very difficult to locate.)

Singer makes the case that animals have rights that are at
a parity to those of humans, and therefore that non-human animals deserve
liberation from exploitation and abuse. This discourse on speciesism
established the animal liberation movement.

For his early exposé of the problems of mass-production on
factory farms, Mason did thorough fieldwork, visiting intensive farming
facilities and research centers. Organized around hard-hitting photographic
documentation, Mason's report is shocking and uncompromising.

Based on an in-depth investigation, Eisnitz reveals that in
spite of decades of updated welfare standards for animals at slaughter, the
reality is gruesome. She highlights the impact of deregulation, the
increasing dangers in the food supply, the worsening treatment of animals,
and the dehumanizing effect on workers. Slaughterhouse is one of the most
important exposés ever published.

Lyman tells his personal story of why and how he left an
industry that was becoming more and more dependent on the dangerous chemical
management of land and animals. A powerful indictment of all animal
agriculture, including "free range" farming.

Robbins reviews the overall abuse and suffering inherent in
factory farming while emphasizing the wide ecological context. He
demonstrates the waste and danger involved in converting grain to human food
by way of animal protein. He warns us about serious environmental
deterioration in a concise and well-organized presentation.

The core of Eternal Treblinka is the history of two
commercial developments: the mass-production assembly-line method and the
industrialization of factory farming. Patterson describes the convergence of
the production of things and the production of food animals since the industrial
revolution of the 19th century. His chilling story shows how the Nazis
applied the American and European know-how of manufacturing and animal farming to the
slaughter of millions of people.

This book is a short review of the advances in farmed
animal welfare over the last few decades, as implemented in Western Europe
through legislation. It is a powerful contrast to the opposite trend of
deregulation in the Americas and the rest of the world.

Regan has been advocating for animals for a generation, as
an animal rights activist, liberationist, and philosopher. In his most
recent book he reminds us why our goal is to free non-human animals entirely
from human exploitation and cruelty. Establishing legislation and better
welfare regulation still leaves animals in unacceptable conditions of
suffering. He suggests we open the cage doors and free non-human animals
from being used for food, education, entertainment, and research.

Kemmerer, Lisa.Animals and World Religions.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.

This book is a comprehensive exploration of moral and
ethical considerations in terms of animal exploitation and religion. The
Introduction, Conclusion, and Appendix form an excellent and detailed
summary of the issues of severe cruelty and suffering that concern animal
advocates.